Dats My Part
DJ Shadow feat. E-40 Lyrics

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Why can't it be me playing that role
Why was I written out of the script
That was supposed to be my part
And where did my leading lady go
I can't accept this is how it all ends
So back to drawing board time for rewrites
Casted the wrong man for her
Why'd they greenlight the project without me

I can't believe somebody else is playing my part
I thought we had some great on screen chemistry
Off screen stayed in character to continue scenes
The project got delayed
And rumors from behind the scenes are that I got replaced
But who can deliver lines like me?
'Cause I got more to say
That was the role that I was born to play
And I'll choreograph a fight scene before it gets torn away
I should've seen the plot twist coming from miles away
Instead of being so lost in her performance that I lost my place
Why can't it be me playing that role
Why was I written out of the script
That was supposed to be my part
And where did my leading lady go
I can't accept this is how it all ends
So back to drawing board time for rewrites
Casted the wrong man for her
Why'd they greenlight the project without me
I can't believe somebody else is playing my part
She was certified fresh
On every director's shortlist
No special effects or makeup could make her more picture perfect
I guess I just didn't fit that portrait
'Cause once she took my breath she turned her attention towards him
There's nothing I wouldn't do for her, but no more shared universe
'Cause Hollywood's It-Girl clowned me and now I feel used and worthless
I hope it's all a bad dream sequence 'cause the truth, it hurts
To sit back and see him in the scenes that me and you rehearsed
Why can't it be me playing that role
Why was I written out of the script
And where did my leading lady go
I can't accept this is how it all ends
So back to drawing board time for rewrites
Casted the wrong man for her
Why'd they greenlight the project without me
I can't believe somebody else is playing my part
My part, my part
Playing my part, my part, my part
They're playing my part, my part, my part
He's playing my part, my part, my part
Up on the movie screen, wait hold up
Who's this dude I see, man, what the
Any steamy images were supposed to be of you and me
But now I'm just deleting pics from my i-p-h-o-n-e
'Cause I'm feeling sick but it's not the concessions or from no CGI
Me, I, thought I nailed the audition and everything is Nehi
Peachy, but a sneak peak would see me screaming
'Cause the film that I'm screening is now a disaster pic
Plus a drama and slasher mixed, together
But would have been better as a feel good romance with a little action in it
I wasn't just planning to box office smash and then call it quits
I wanted to make a family film but dag now that's the alternate ending
Or one of the unfinished takes on the cutting room floor
So can we splice the tape, or am I just relegated to do the score
With you, I thought I scored
So I hope critics view your performance and rip the whole movie to shreds
Nevermind only breaking the fourth wall

I'm tearing the whole set down
I went from having a starring role to no credits, and you acting real extra now

Overall Meaning

In "Dats My Part," DJ Shadow and E-40 explore the feelings of disappointment, frustration, and betrayal that come from being replaced in a relationship or a role. The lyrics reflect on the singer's longing to be the one playing the lead role in someone's life or in a project, only to be "written out of the script" and watch someone else take their place.

The song draws parallels between the world of Hollywood and the dynamics of a romantic relationship. The singer questions why they were cast aside and replaced, feeling that they were the natural fit for the role. They express disbelief and sadness at seeing someone else take on the part that they believed belonged to them. This sense of being left out and overlooked is amplified by the references to movie-making, where the leading lady and the plot twist become symbolic of the singer's feelings of betrayal and loss.

The lyrics also touch on the desire to reclaim the spotlight and prove their worthiness. The singer expresses determination to rewrite the script, choreograph fight scenes, and deliver lines that no one else can. They lament the fact that they were blinded by their connection and commitment to their leading lady, not foreseeing the plot twist that would leave them feeling lost and replaced.

Overall, "Dats My Part" captures the emotions of disappointment, longing, and the struggle to come to terms with being replaced or overshadowed in both love and ambitions.

Line by Line Meaning

Why can't it be me playing that role
I wish I was chosen for that role

Why was I written out of the script
Why was my character removed from the storyline

That was supposed to be my part
I was originally meant to have that role

And where did my leading lady go
Where did the female lead of the project disappear to

I can't accept this is how it all ends
I refuse to believe this is the final outcome

So back to drawing board time for rewrites
Time to start over and make changes to the script

Casted the wrong man for her
They chose the wrong person to play her love interest

Why'd they greenlight the project without me
Why was the project approved and started without including me

I can't believe somebody else is playing my part
It's hard to believe someone else took my role

I thought we had some great on screen chemistry
I believed we had great chemistry in our scenes together

Off screen stayed in character to continue scenes
We maintained our characters' personas even off camera to maintain continuity

The project got delayed
The project was postponed

And rumors from behind the scenes are that I got replaced
There are rumors circulating that I was replaced

But who can deliver lines like me?
No one can deliver lines as effectively as I can

'Cause I got more to say
Because I have more to contribute

That was the role that I was born to play
That role perfectly suited my talents and abilities

And I'll choreograph a fight scene before it gets torn away
I will create and plan an exciting fight scene before it is removed from the movie

I should've seen the plot twist coming from miles away
I should have anticipated the surprising turn of events

Instead of being so lost in her performance that I lost my place
Instead of being so captivated by her acting that I lost focus

She was certified fresh
She received widespread acclaim and positive reviews

On every director's shortlist
Every director wanted to work with her

No special effects or makeup could make her more picture perfect
No amount of special effects or makeup could enhance her beauty

I guess I just didn't fit that portrait
I simply didn't match the image they had in mind

'Cause once she took my breath she turned her attention towards him
After she captivated me, she shifted her focus to him

There's nothing I wouldn't do for her, but no more shared universe
I was willing to do anything for her, but now we won't be working together anymore

'Cause Hollywood's It-Girl clowned me and now I feel used and worthless
The popular actress mocked or disregarded me, leaving me feeling exploited and insignificant

I hope it's all a bad dream sequence 'cause the truth, it hurts
I wish this was just a terrible dream because the reality is painful

To sit back and see him in the scenes that me and you rehearsed
It's difficult to watch him in the scenes that we rehearsed together

Up on the movie screen, wait hold up
On the movie screen, wait a minute

Who's this dude I see, man, what the
Who is this guy I see, man, what is going on

Any steamy images were supposed to be of you and me
There were supposed to be intimate scenes between us

But now I'm just deleting pics from my i-p-h-o-n-e
Now I'm deleting photos from my iPhone

'Cause I'm feeling sick but it's not the concessions or from no CGI
I feel nauseous, but not from the food or lack of visual effects

Me, I, thought I nailed the audition and everything is Nehi
I believed I performed exceptionally well in the audition, but now I'm disappointed

Peachy, but a sneak peak would see me screaming
Everything seemed great, but upon closer inspection, I would be shouting

'Cause the film that I'm screening is now a disaster pic
The movie I'm watching has turned into a disaster

Plus a drama and slasher mixed, together
It has become a combination of drama and horror

But would have been better as a feel good romance with a little action in it
It would have been more enjoyable as a heartwarming romance with some action elements

I wasn't just planning to box office smash and then call it quits
I had bigger plans than just achieving commercial success and retiring

I wanted to make a family film but dag now that's the alternate ending
I had intended for the movie to be family-friendly, but now it has a different, unexpected conclusion

Or one of the unfinished takes on the cutting room floor
Or it could be one of the incomplete scenes that were removed during editing

So can we splice the tape, or am I just relegated to do the score
Can we edit the footage, or am I only allowed to compose the music

With you, I thought I scored
I believed I had achieved success with you

So I hope critics view your performance and rip the whole movie to shreds
I hope critics harshly criticize your performance and tear the entire movie apart

Nevermind only breaking the fourth wall
Forget just breaking the boundary between fiction and reality

I'm tearing the whole set down
I'm metaphorically destroying the entire production

I went from having a starring role to no credits, and you acting real extra now
I went from being the main character to having no recognition, and now you're overacting

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